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Premiere (TCD 746xxx) and Premiere XL (TCD748000) are slightly different models with different Tivo software on the drive, so you cannot move a XL drive to a regular Premiere. Another difference is the TCD748 has THX while TCD746 does not.

Premier Hard Drive seems to have died. Stuck at start up screen and S.M.A.R.T. testing incates "Fail 7" for both short test and extended test. Since I have lifetime want to replace the hard drive.

I don't want to format a replacement drive myself as it seems a little technical so was looking at amazon and ebay for already formated drives.

Noticed that there are some Premier XL units available near or even below what a formated replacement drive costs.

Is there any reason why I can't buy the XL and just take drive and put it in my unit with lifetime????

I figure this way I get other replacement parts and a working XL assuming I can't get my current unit to work.

Thoughts and feedback much appreciated!!!!

No, the XL drive won't work in the regular Premiere. What you could do is buy a used Premeire and stick that drive in yours. I picked up a new Premiere off of eBay for $51/shipped just for spare parts. The technical part of imaging a drive is not that tough except that Premiere drives can only be copied (not a stand alone image like older Tivos). The JMFS software is free and the copying can be done using a pair of inexpensive USB to SATA cables.

UPDATE: Picked up a refurbished TiVo for $50. Both units are 746 series but replacement drive isn't working in my unit with lifetime. I get the start up screen but then either a striped grey and white screen or Dark grey screen. Any ideas. Thanks!!!!

Good news. I did get the new drive working in the unit with lifetime. Not sure why it wouldn't work the first few times. I did put it back in the refurbished tivo and updated the software and then reinstalled in the lifetimed tivo. At first, I got a error 51, but after a reboot it seems to be fine. Crossing my fingers it will just work for a few more years.